Snow and weather reports posted on Tuesday 20th March 2018

Nozawa Onsen Now!

The sun is out and it should be a fine day - and warmer than the last few with a high of over 15C expected this afternoon.

Similarly fine conditions are expected tomorrow too.

Patches of ground showing up on some lower areas now as the snow melt continues - but still over 3m up there on top.

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You can still ski or snowboard back down close to the Hikage base area - from where you can get on a shuttle bus back over to the base of the Nagasaka Gondola if you want to get back up top. Snow conditions are better higher up though, so I expect that most people will be staying up there for most of the day.

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Friday 14th April 2017

Below is official info that the resort is publishing at the time of the report.

Yuzawa Now!

Friday 14th April 2017, 7:32am

Weather conditions:

Overcast, bright, sunny skies due

New snowfall:

0cm

Snow depth:

--

Good morning from Yuzawa.

Today is going to be much warmer than yesterday.

Kind of a bright and generally overcast start to the day, but sunny clearer skies are on the forecast for the day as well as temperatures rising to around 18C or even higher later on this afternoon. It looks like a fairly similar situation is expected tomorrow.

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The Naeba resort plans to re-open once again for tomorrow and Sunday. The lifts that they plan to operate are the Number 2 Gondola, the Number 5 high speed lift and the Takenokodaira romance lift. Still good snow cover down to base there.

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Resort information as of Friday 14th April 2017

Subject to change depending on snow and weather conditions.

GALA YuzawaGALA Yuzawa plans to be open until Sunday 7th May.All of the Central Area courses and part of the North Area currently remain open.The sledding area is also open.The Falcon downhill course is now closed - use the Gondola to get back down to base.Official snow depth: 260cm

KaguraThe Tashiro Area of Kagura plans to be open until Sunday 7th May.The Kagura Area (via Mitsumata Ropeway) plans to be open until Sunday 28th May.Almost all Kagura courses remain open.Closed courses according to official website are the Gondola East Course (at Tashiro) and the downhill course (back to Mitsumata car park).Kagura Park plans to be open daily from Wednesday 12th April.Official snow depth: Kagura - 330cm; Mitsumata - 280cm; Tashiro - 300cm

Kandatsu KogenKandatsu Kogen plans to be open until Sunday 7th May.Most courses at Kandatsu Kogen remain open.Spring nighta (6pm-10pm) is on Saturdays and nights before holidays until 22nd April.Official snow depth: 220cm

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Naeba is closed today but plans to re-open on weekends and over the Golden Week period.

All other ski and snowboard resorts in the Yuzawa and Minamiuonuma region are now closed for the season. Read more ...

Furano Now!

Friday 14th April 2017, 7:42am

Weather conditions:

Clear

New snowfall:

3cm

Snow depth:

--

What a day it turned out to be yesterday with heavy snowfalls and cold temperatures staying with Furano for the entire day. Today couldn't be more of a contrast, and although the village temperature is currently +2c, it will rocket to +13c by lunchtime. The sun is out very strong this morning and cutting through the thin layer of high cloud. They resort should have some nice snow top to bottom early on today. Read more ...

Zao Now!

Friday 14th April 2017, 7:57am

Weather conditions:

Fine, sunny

New snowfall:

0cm

Snow depth:

--

It was pretty cold yesterday. Snowing too on the mountain!

It's remaining cold up there on the mountain this morning but much milder here at base level.

Looks like there's a chance of a bit of rain tomorrow but Sunday should be clear so that would seem to be the best bet for the weekend as the forecasts stand. A bit unsettled for the coming week actually and perhaps a little unpredictable.

Open all year (* for sightseeing):- Sky Cable- Chuo Ropeway- Zao Ropeway

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All other ski lifts at Zao Onsen are now closed for the season. Read more ...

Hakuba Now!

Friday 14th April 2017, 8:17am

Weather conditions:

Blue sky and cloud

New snowfall:

0cm

Snow depth:

--

Good morning.

Some blue sky and some cloud this morning and it is going to be warmer than it has been over the last few days.

It doesn't feel windy down here but the resorts are reporting some wind higher up. At the time of writing it looks like a few of the top lifts at Happo-one are on hold at the start of the day due to the wind conditions. If you are planning to head out, probably best to check with the resorts to see if there's any changes.

Tomorrow should be fine and sunny and mild. Sounds like a good time to be out on some skis or a board to me!

Hakuba Goryu:Hakuba Goryu is reporting 0cm of fresh snowfall.Upper areas remain open.The lower Toomi course is now used just to get back down to base.The Iimori area of the resort is closed. Official snow depth:Alps: 240cmToomi: 90cm ---Planned operating lifts:GondolaAlps Number 1 pair liftAlps Number 3 pair lift---Hakuba Goryu plans to be open until Sunday 7th May.

Hakuba Happo-one:Hakuba Happo-one is reporting 0cm of fresh snowfall (Grat quad top).Upper areas that remain open are: Riesen Grat, Usagidaira, Kurobishi, Panorama, Skyline, Riesen Slalom and Shirakaba South.Most base areas closed with the Gondola and Sakka Kitaone lifts taking people up to the higher areas.You can still ski or board back down to the Gondola base station via the Riesen and Shirakaba South courses - otherwise take one of the two above lifts back down to base.Official snow depth:Usagidaira: 135cmKurobishi: 220cmNakiyama: -cm---Planned operating lifts:GondolaAlpen quad liftGrat quad liftPanorama pair liftHakuba Kokusai Number 3 pair liftKurobishi Number 2 quad liftKurobishi Number 3 pair liftSkyline Number 2 pair liftSakka Kitaone quad---Hakuba Happo-one plans to be open until Sunday 7th May.

All other ski and snowboard resorts in the area are now closed for the season. Read more ...

Niseko Now!

Friday 14th April 2017, 8:34am

Weather conditions:

Fine and sunny

New snowfall:

0cm

Snow depth:

--

Good morning from Niseko.

A bit more snow falling yesterday during the day and perhaps a cm or two on the mountain - though I don't have any to report from down here at base.

Nice weather this morning with the sun out though unfortunately it is still windy.

At the time of writing the top lifts at both Niseko Grand Hirafu and Niseko Annupuri are one hold due to wind conditions. Otherwise, they are both open as planned.

The forecast for the weekend is showing nice and sunny conditions and rather warm conditions too as temperatures venture well into double digit territory in the day time.

Let's spring skiing, indeed.

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Individual resort information: Friday 14th April 2017:

Planned openings. This info subject to change due to snow and weather conditions - any closings will be mentioned in the main report above.

Niseko Grand HirafuNiseko Grand Hirafu plans to be open daily until Sunday 7th May.The following course is now closed: Onsenzawa.

Official snow depth:Top - 270cmBase - 60cm

Planned operating lifts:Ace Family (8:30am until 4:30pm) - until 16th AprilAce Number 2 Center Four (8:30am until 4:30pm)King Number 3 (8:40am until 4:30pm)King Number 4 (8:50am until 4:30pm)Gondola (8:30am until 4:30pm) - on weekends and national holidays only

The Spring Park should be open from 10am until 3:30pm

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Niseko AnnupuriNiseko Annupuri plans to be open daily until Sunday 7th May.

Official snow depth:Top - 200cmBase - 50cm

Planned operating lifts:Annupuri GondolaJumbo Number 1Jumbo Number 4

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Niseko HANAZONO Resort has closed for the season.Niseko Village is currently closed but plans to part re-open from 28th April until 7th May.Night time floodlit operations have finished for the season. Read more ...

Shiga Kogen Now!

Friday 14th April 2017, 8:38am

Weather conditions:

Clear and sunny

New snowfall:

0cm

Snow depth:

--

It's fine weather here in Shiga Kogen this morning and after that short blast of winter like weather this week, it looks like we're on for a short blast of spring for today.

Though tomorrow looks more unsettled once again with a chance of rain tomorrow. Could it even snow?

Anyway, I'll be back early week with my next update.

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Official snow depths numbers reported by different areas of Shiga Kogen:

Please note that these numbers are the official numbers that ski resorts publish.

TerakoyaThe Terakoya lifts plan to be operating until Sunday 7th May (* Saturdays and Sundays only until 28th April)

Ichinose DiamondThe Ichinose Diamond quad lift plans to be operating until Sunday 7th May (* Saturdays and Sundays only until 28th April)

Okushiga KogenThe Okushiga Kogen Number 4 pair lift plans to be operating on 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd April and between 29th April and 7th MayThe Okushiga Kogen Number 2, 3, and 6 pair lifts plan to be operating until Sunday 7th MayThe Okushiga Kogen Gondola lift plans to be operating until Sunday 7th May

KumanoyuThe Kumanoyu Number 1 pair lift plan to be operating until Sunday 7th MayThe Kumanoyu Number 2 pair A and B lifts plan to be operating until Sunday 14th MayThe Kumanoyu Number 3 quad lift plans to be operating on 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd April and from 29th April until 7th May

Yokoteyama & ShibutogeThe Yokoteyama Number 1 Sky A and B lifts plan to be operating until Sunday 7th MayThe Yokoteyama Number 2 and 3 Sky lifts plan to be operating until late MayThe Yokoteyama Number 4 pair lift plans to be operating until Sunday 7th May (may be closed on certain days)The Shibutoge lift plans to be operating until late May Read more ...

Grandeco Now!

Friday 14th April 2017, 8:43am

Weather conditions:

Fair and sunny

New snowfall:

2cm

Snow depth:

--

Good morning from Grandeco - and it's clear blue skies this morning.

2cm of new snow fell yesterday and all the courses were covered with that bit of fresh snow again - conditions seemed soft but courses are generally rather hard core.

Some new items can be found in the area beside gondola top station from today - wide box, down box, drum can, down rail.

It is a beautiful day today. Don't forget to take pictures on the mountain! Also, sunglasses and UV protection are needed.

90% courses remain openLavender A and Mint B are closedThe Snow Parks are now closed

Official snow depth:240cm

Road Condition to Grandeco:Inawashiro through Goshikinuma: dryGoshukinuma through Grandeco: dry Read more ...

Appi Kogen Now!

Friday 14th April 2017, 9:11am

Weather conditions:

Clear blue skies

New snowfall:

0cm

Snow depth:

--

Hello from Appi,

It’s a bluebird day here at Appi with snow still on the mountain offering those hardy enough to trek over our way a few last chances to get a snow high before the season really comes to an end. The last week has given us rain, sun and some very windy days that shut the whole mountain down. In fact I wouldn’t be surprised to see some of the lifts to cease operations today given the gusty conditions we’re expecting.

As the weekend is nearly here the weather will remain warm and windy. We still have a decent base layer to ski on but as with most Spring ski adventures you can expect quite a lot of slush on the runs that are open.

Come and see us anyway before you summarize your winter gear and have a few laughs before the summer doldrums come around.

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Planned operating lifts at time of report (subject to change due to weather conditions):

Appi GondolaCentral quadCentral number 2Central number 3BCentral number 4

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Official snow depth:

180cm

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Appi plans to be opening until Sunday 7th May this season Read more ...